The Internet is ablaze with rumors that Cristiano Ronaldo is fishing in the company pond.

Real Madrid Television presenter Lucia Villalon took a photo with Ronaldo last week and uploaded it to her Instagram account. When supermodel Irina Shayk confirmed her breakup with Ronaldo last Friday, many jumped to the conclusion that the 29-year-old Portuguese superstar and Villalon already have started dating, according to the Mail.

Villalon, 26, was part of the delegation Real Madrid sent to FIFA’s 2014 Ballon d’Or Gala on Jan. 12, from which Shayk was conspicuously absent. Ronaldo won his third Ballon d’Or, and Villalon celebrated the occasion with a now-famous photo.

Gourcuff, 27, failed to earn a spot on France’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, compounding his misery. The midfielder will be a free agent after this season and is rumored to be one of Arsenal’s transfer targets.

Given Arsenal’s injury problems in recent seasons, Gourcuff might find a happy home in the Gunners’ dressing room.

The French judge ruled there wasn’t enough proof the men were aware that self-described escort Zahia Dehar, now 21, was a minor at the time. The case has been hanging over the players since July 2010, when a French judge issued preliminary charges against them.

Neither player was present as the criminal court announced the verdicts, but the relief and emotion got to Ribery’s lawyer, Carlo Alberto Brusa, who was in tears as he phoned the France star to tell him he’d been cleared of all charges.

“When you experience moments like that, you get goose bumps, as he told me himself,” Brusa told The Associated Press when asked how Ribery felt upon hearing the news. “He has an extraordinary character, and he’s someone I respect a lot. I think it’s a victory, a victory for justice.”

The two soccer stars had faced up to three years in prison if found guilty.

Dehar contends Ribery flew her to Munich as a birthday present to himself in 2009 when she was under 18. She says she lied to the players and told them she was an adult. Dehar also was not present at the trial.

Although Ribery has admitted to having sex with Dehar, he claims he did not pay her and that he did not know she was a prostitute or a minor at the time.

“We did a lot of work, serious work analyzing the file to establish the fact that there was no proof [that Ribery knew she was underage],” Brusa told the AP.

Prostitution is legal in France, but prostitutes must be over 18.

Benzema’s lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, said he “could feel all the weight coming off. It was morally very trying.”

Cormier called the verdict “the end of a nightmare” for Benzema. “It was very painful for him. He’s a strong person. He really impressed me. Four years is a very long time.”

Benzema has denied all allegations. The 26-year-old Benzema is alleged to have paid 500 euros ($678) to have sex with Dehar in May 2008, the night he won the French player of the year award playing for his former club, Lyon. Dehar was 16 at the time.

Ribery had the best season of his career in 2012-13, helping Bayern win the Bundesliga, the German Cup and Champions League. He finished third in the recent Ballon d’Or vote behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Playing football with that weighing on you is not easy, and for me, it’s the sign of a great champion,” Brusa said. “He showed in 2013 that he’s a fantastic player.”

Benzema has passed the 100-goal mark for Madrid since joining the Spanish giant from Lyon in 2009. The criminal court trial initially had been set for last June but was adjourned for procedural reasons. It resumed last week.

Filed under: Arsenal FC, Associated Press, Offbeat, Premier League, Rumors, Soccer, Top Stories, World Cup]]>http://nesn.com/2014/01/franck-ribery-karim-benzema-acquitted-on-prostitution-charges/feed/00Franck Ribery, Karim BenzemanesnmomardFranck Ribery, Karim BenzemaPossible New U.S. Soccer 2014 World Cup Jersey Design Leaked, Includes Centennial Crest (Photo)http://nesn.com/2013/09/possible-new-u-s-soccer-2014-world-cup-jersey-design-leaked-includes-centennial-crest-photo/
http://nesn.com/2013/09/possible-new-u-s-soccer-2014-world-cup-jersey-design-leaked-includes-centennial-crest-photo/#commentsWed, 18 Sep 2013 17:48:27 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=228775]]>Players on the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team might wear one or both of these jerseys when they take the field at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The home jersey includes a collar and a blue sash, which runs from the top right shoulder to the lower left hip. The road jersey is all blue with a white ring just below the neck.

Both feature the Nike swoosh on one side of the chest and the “Centennial Crest” on the other.

The crest was a special feature on U.S. soccer jerseys in 2013, as it commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America Foot Ball Association (now known as the U.S. Soccer Federation). The special-edition shield might have staying power.

Filed under: Headlines, Marcus Kwesi O'Mard, Offbeat, Rumors, Soccer, Twitter, US Soccer, World Cup]]>http://nesn.com/2013/09/possible-new-u-s-soccer-2014-world-cup-jersey-design-leaked-includes-centennial-crest-photo/feed/00US Soccer 2014 World Cup jersey leaknesnmomardUS Soccer 2014 World Cup jersey leak largeSergio Aguero Offers to Buy Five Players For Independiente, Former Team Never Calls Him Backhttp://nesn.com/2013/08/sergio-aguero-offers-to-buy-five-players-for-independiente-former-team-never-calls-him-back/
http://nesn.com/2013/08/sergio-aguero-offers-to-buy-five-players-for-independiente-former-team-never-calls-him-back/#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 20:25:15 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=213155]]>Sergio Aguero was just trying to help, and this is the thanks he gets?

The Manchester City star offered to buy five players (and pay their salaries) for Argentine soccer club Independiente. The seven-time Copa Libertadores winner never bothered to respond to its former striker’s phone call, according to ESPN.

“We don’t know what players they want because no-one called back. Not Squeo, not Brindisi. [There is] No leadership. I feel there is a slight against Sergio.”

Aguero made his name with Independiente between 2003-06. He made his debut at age 15, becoming the youngest player to ever appear in a Primera Division (Argentina’s first division) game. He scored 23 goals in 54 games and became a youth international before Independiente sold him to Spain’s Atletico Madrid for €23 million ($30.5 million) in 2006. Aguero has since progressed to multimillionaire status, as he is one of the top earners at the Premier League’s richest club.

Meanwhile, Independiente has fallen on hard times after it suffered relegation for the first time in its 109-year history. In July, club president Javier Cantero told members that there was no money for transfers. The announcement sparked a riot.

Aguero’s offer is one of the most extraordinary soccer stories in recent memory. The shock of the offer itself is only topped by the fact that Independiente neither accepted it nor even returned the phone call.

Barcelona is reportedly determined to buy PSG captain Thiago Silva this summer. The La Liga champion could activate Silva’s release clause, which would allow it to negotiate with the PSG captain, despite his club’s desire to retain him. Silva has not indicated whether he would like to leave the French capital or not.

Sky Sports reports PSG president Sheikh Nasser Al-Khelaifi is vowing to do the same to one of Barcelona’s key players, namely Lionel Messi.

In February, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona. It runs until 2018 and reportedly pays him over €11 million ($14.75 million) after taxes. The contract also contains a buyout clause, believed to be in the stratospheric region of €250 million ($335 million).

Normally, those figures would scare off any potential suitors, but PSG is no normal club, and this is no ordinary time. The Ligue 1 (French first division) champion is owned by Qatar Sports Investment — an arm of the oil and gas-rich country’s royal family — and it has no qualms about targeting and buying the world’s most expensive players. On Tuesday, PSG broke the French transfer record when it signed Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani for €64 million ($84 million).

It would shock the world if PSG met Messi’s buyout fee, but it would not secure the Argentine superstar. PSG would still have to convince Messi to leave Barcelona — a tall order considering he said he wouldn’t play for another European club after penning his new deal. However, money talks in the modern game, and PSG has plenty of it.

Ronaldo’s message flies in the face of recent reports which say he is set to extend his stay in the Spanish capital. His current deal runs until 2015, and club president Florentino Perez promised to make the Portuguese forward the highest-paid player in the world if he signs a contract extension.

Ronaldo shocked Real Madrid (and the soccer world) last summer when he said he was “sad” at the club and reportedly told Perez that he wanted a transfer. Real Madrid refused to sell him, but that didn’t stop potential suitors from stepping forward. Manchester United, PSG and AS Monaco are believed to be willing to spend up to £85 million ($133.4 million) to sign him this summer. If Ronaldo rejects Real Madrid‘s contract offer, the club would have little choice but to sell him, since his transfer value will decrease as 2015 approaches.

Ronaldo recently put his $7 million villa up for sale, suggesting he is ready to end a Real Madrid career that has seen him score 201 goals in 199 games over the last four seasons.

On Monday, the Arsenal midfielder posted a photo of his young son, Archie Wilshere, wearing a full FC Barcelona uniform. Transfer rumor junkies naturally took this as a sign that the elder Wilshire is thinking about leaving Arsenal for the Spanish club.

Wilshire joined the Arsenal academy as a nine-year-old. He shot through the club’s youth ranks and made his first-team debut in 2008. The 21-year-old is now a cornerstone of the current Arsenal team, and it won’t be long before he dons the captain’s armband.

His status as a leading Arsenal player naturally makes him the subject of interest from Europe’s richest clubs. He was linked with Bayern Munich and Barcelona at times last season, but Arsenal has made it clear that he is not for sale. The new contract he signed in December runs until 2018, so Bayern and Barcelona have a better shot at signing young Archie, 1, than “Jack the Dad.”

Should he take the Chelsea manager’s job at the end of the season, Mourinho will attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldoto West London, according to the Express.

“[Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich believes Mourinho has unfinished business at Chelsea and is prepared to welcome him back — with the cheque book open,” the report says.

“Once back in London he [Mourinho] will do his best to lure former Manchester United star Ronaldo away from Spain.

“Mourinho knows that the 28-year-old isn’t content at Real and will test the water with a £60 million ($91 million) offer.”

Mourinho is reportedly closing in on a sensational return to Stamford Bridge, nearly six years after he was fired from the same position. While most Chelsea fans would be delighted to welcome their former leader back to the club, the prospect of Ronaldo accompanying him would surely send them into a state of delirium.

Ronaldo is enjoying another stellar season, despite his reported desire to leave Real Madrid. Manchester United is thought to be preparing a blockbuster transfer offer with hopes of bringing the superstar forward back to Old Trafford, but Mourinho’s personal touch (and Abramovich’s wealth) could convince him to choose Chelsea instead. Mourinho and Ronaldo share the same agent, Jorge Mendes, which could also tip the scale in Chelsea’s favor.

Chelsea is transitioning from the era of the “Old Guard,” which rose to prominence during Mourinho’s first (and to this date, only) stint as manager. If the Portuguese tactician returns with Ronaldo in tow, the next era at Stamford Bridge could be even more “Special” than the one that is coming to a close.

The ever-newsworthy striker recently decided to propose to his girlfriend, 22-year-old model Fanny Robert Neguesha, taking her completely by surprise. Perhaps it wasn’t the proposal, but rather the engagement ring itself that bowled over Neguesha; it was made of tin foil, according to the Daily Star.

“It was a very spontaneous moment,” a friend of Neguesha reportedly told the Star. “She was bowled over.”

It seems that Balotelli could have ponied up a bit more of his salary to splurge on a nice ring for his Belgian sweetheart, but that was not the case.

In a recent interview with Italian television show Le Iene, Balotelli said that sometimes it’s hard for him to just be a “normal guy.” However, the 22-year-old Italian star — whose estimated net worth is roughly $25 million — has historically had trouble staying out of the headlines for his completely abnormal behavior.

There was the time he paid a $650,000 home-repair bill after a friend set off a fireworkinside his rented Manchester mansion. Or the time he emblazoned his Bentley Continental GT in military-grade camouflage. Or the time he commissioned a bronze statue of his signature post-goal pose for his own home.

Maybe “Super Mario” has begun to pinch pennies so he can to try and feel more like a normal guy, but for a man with more millions in the bank than years on Earth, it seems like his fiancée deserves better.

6 p.m.: We’ve reached the conclusion of the first day of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. We’ll be back Saturday for day two. Be sure to check NESN.com starting at 9 a.m. to see what topics are covered in the country’s biggest meeting sports data analysts.

5:55 p.m.: When asked about over-saturation of sports on television, Walsh points to increased audience sizes and competition from other outlets as proof that fans are actually underserved.

5:45 p.m.: The common challenge that teams in the NBA and Major League Baseball share is how to make teams profitable, Postolos says. Broad revenue sharing is one way leagues are facing this test.

5:40 p.m.: Walsh says that a lot of research will on concussions will come out in the next 12-24 months. He’s sure decision makers will take notice and act on it.

5:30 p.m.: Media is the biggest international opportunity at the moment, de Picciotto says. The next is taking brands globally (through sports). Finally, the movement of talent across borders gives players and fans a chance to see athletes from around the world.

He also thinks gambling has the potential to generate vast amounts of revenue, but it could kill sports as well.

On the question of performance-enhancing drugs, he says essentially need to keep up with societal values.

5:20 p.m.: Walsh asks how to use analytics to value sports properties — especially in increments of time.

PepsiCo has a proprietary model, according to Storms. “Nobody knows our business better than we do,” she says. The company uses a multi-stage process to evaluate the impact of any potential sponsorship or endorsement.

She concludes that there’s no way to measure the exact amount of product that sports partnerships move, but PespiCo is closer than it has ever been to doing so.

5:15 p.m.: Carter says leagues partner with media and sponsors to try and “surround the fan.” She adds that the old model of signage at a stadium no longer works.

5 p.m.: Walsh says we need innovative thinking about the playing of the game and the experience of the consumer.

He points to the fact that players are bigger, faster and stronger than they were decades ago, yet the size of the playing surfaces (specifically in the NFL and NBA) remain the same. “Why not make fields bigger to provide more excitement for fans,” he asks.

4:50 p.m.: The business of sports is our final panel of the day. Industry leaders will talk about the money side of this multi-trillion dollar industry.

Kraft Sports Group vice president Jessica Gelman will moderate the panel. She will be joined by Soccer United Marketing president Kathy Carter, Octagon president Phil de Picciotto, Houston Astros president George Postolos, PepsiCo vice president of global sports marketing Jennifer Storms, and ESPN executive vice president John Walsh.

4:45 p.m.: Schatz says the most overrated players are the ones whose athletic ability doesn’t translate into football success.

He points to D’Angelo Hall who is fast and has good hands but is poor in coverage.

He says Tony Romo is underrated because he is consistently one of the six or seven best quarterbacks in the league and one of the best in the fourth quarter … “as long as the game is not on national television.”

4:40 p.m.: The 49ers use analytics to better understand the tendencies of coaches — how they manage the clock and when they call time outs.

4:35 p.m.: Pioli says mutual respect is lacking in football when asked how to convince an NFL head coach to listen to an analyst who has never stepped on the field.

He says a coach must have an open mind, but it’s important how analysts present, deliver and communicate their information.

4:30 p.m.: Kremer asks how to quantify injuries and off-field problems. What value do you attach to those events?

No two injuries are the same, but Shatz argues that, en masse, players are better at recovering from injuries in today’s game than they were in the past.

As for the character question, Pioli approaches it on a case-by-case basis, saying there’s no real way to measure something like that.

Pioli discusses the new player assessment tool being used at the NFL combine. He wants to know as much about a player’s mental makeup — specifically his levels of work ethic and level of selflessness (or selfishness).

4:25 p.m.: Demoff says the middle class is shrinking because teams are better at scouting and developing young players. Teams are now paying a premium for players they call “difference makers.”

4:20 p.m.: Demoff says the salary caps affect the schemes teams use. They “ultimately look for undervalued players and get as many of them as you can.”

He said more teams started playing 3-4 defenses a few years ago because nose tackles were undervalued. Now the best nose tackles command $12 million salaries, so teams are reverting to the 4-3 because the market allows them to get more bang for their buck with tackles to fit that system.

4:15 p.m.: Marathe calls the Patriots the “kings of replenishing.”

In the age of the salary cap, it’s impossible to keep a team together over the long term. “If every player took a 15-percent discount on their market rate, we still wouldn’t be able to keep them all,” he says.

He adds that the Patriots have been incredible at churning players yet remaining successful.

Pioli says that the Pats’ practice of stockpiling draft picks increases their chancing of landing good players. “Every pick is a gamble,” he said before adding that taking more gambles increases the chances of landing good players.

4:05 p.m.: Pioli says it’s tough to come up with a measurement to predict a player’s chance of success.

“Football is such an interdependent game. The success of a play has so many variables and depends on 11 indiviudals.”

Marathe expands on it, saying that trades don’t often work out because a player can succeed in one system, but look totally out-of-place in another.

3:55 p.m.: Pioli is no fan of the combine because there’s a difference between “pure speed” and “playing speed.”

He finds values in measurements. He says Tom Brady is such an accurate passer because he’s got huge hands.

Marathe talks about “hidden value” of 40-yard dash times, citing the case of Jerry Rice. He says Rice had an average overall 40 time, but his speed between 20-40 yards (what insiders call “the flying 20″) was one of the highest ever.

He said it translated into separation speed on the field. Rice was rarely, if ever, caught from behind.

3:50 p.m.: Demoff and Marathe say their teams are looking to hire analysts. The Rams are still working out how to deeper integrate analytics into their organization, while the 49ers have used one on the salary cap side for over a decade and are now using them on the football side.

Pioli says analytics have played a role in the game for ages. “Gut” decisions are based on prior experience and analysis, he says.

We’re just calling it something else now.

3:40 p.m.: Are you ready for some football?

The National Football League is undergoing an analytics revolution of its own. The Football Analytics panel will discuss how NFL coaches and teams are using data to evaluate players, map out strategy and make in-game decisions.

Andrea Kremer will moderate the panel. She will be joined by St. Louis Rams executive vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff, former Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, San Francisco 49ers chief operating officer Paraag Marathe and Football Outsiders founder Aaron Schatz.

2:40 p.m.: Robin van Persie does his exploring in the half second before the ball comes his way. It’s how he always seems to be one step ahead of defenders (despite not being particularly fast or quick) when he gets the ball in the final third of the field.

2:30 p.m.: Jordet says Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have the highest frequency of “visual exploratory behavior,” meaning the two stars look around and gauge their surroundings before receiving the ball.

He says the midfield players who complete the highest number of forward passes are the ones who do the most exploring. In other words, they’re reading the game and playing it at the same time.

He bases the research on Sky Sports’ player cameras.

2:25 p.m.: We’re going from one extreme to the other. Baseball and statistics are inseparable, but soccer has been slow to adopt statistical analysis.

Geir Jordet, director of psychology at the Norweigan Centre for Football (soccer) Excellence is presenting some new research on “The Hidden Foundation of Field Vision in English Premier League Soccer Players.”

He explores the concept of field vision. How can some players make the right pass every time they get the ball? We’re about to find out.

1:50 p.m.: The panel discusses how difficult it is to predict how a young player will perform in the big leagues. There’s no exact science or measurement device that will predict which players will overperform or underperform at the top level.

1:40 p.m.: Posnanski says there’s a real divide in the way journalists cover baseball. He thinks younger writers — especially on the internet — are more versed in the “new language” of analytics, while mainstream media still focuses on wins, losses, errors and other 100-year-old statistics.

He thinks baseball coverage is currently changing and will continue to change with the times.

1:30 p.m.: Zaidi says analytics are changing the way the game is played and how managers manage.

McCracken adds that managers tend to want to avoid risk. If he plays a star player and the player doesn’t deliver, “it’s the player’s fault.” If the manager plays an untested rookie and the youngster fails, “it’s the manager’s fault.”

1:20 p.m.: When asked what the newest developments in baseball analytics, Keri says that teams are increasingly privatizing and keeping data in house. McCracken thinks this will slow the growth of the baseball analysis.

He goes on to say that video analysis is the next frontier in the field.

Zaidi says baseball analysis is too tied to outcomes rather than skills themselves. The A’s are trying to move in the direction of skill-based analysis rather than outcomes (which are the results of those skills).

He adds that baseball decisions are very complex and there are a lot of disagreements, but Beane has to make the final call at the end of the day.

1:10 p.m.: Posnanski says that baseball provides new things to measure and quantify almost every day. Where some sports might see diminishing returns from the avalanche of data, he thinks that won’t be the case in baseball.

McCracken thinks the data can be dangerous. Some take a new stat and run with it without “completely understanding” the data that they’re seeing.

12:55 p.m.: We’re getting set for one of the most anticipated panels of the first day — on baseball analytics.

11:20 a.m.: Polian and MacMullan talk about the Manti Te’o hoax and its effect on the player.

The former Colts general manager thinks the hoax won’t have a negative impact on his career over the long term.

“The hoax that he was a victim of is a story, and it’s a gigantic story — people can’t get enough of it,” Polian says. “Does it affect Manti Te’o the football player? I would submit to you absolutely not.”

MacMullan agrees with that assessment, but she thinks the hoax has had negative effects on his preparation for the NFL combine.

“He was probably not capable of preparing the way he would have liked to have because of all the outside noise and all the outside things that have happened to him.

“I don’t know this for a fact, but perhaps he may have under-performed at the combine because anyone that went through what he went through, regardless of how much you think he was involved or not involved, it had to have been devastating. There had to have been a lot of sleepless nights. There had to have been a lot of days he probably didn’t eat, and I’m sure a lot of days he didn’t work out the way he wanted to.”

11 a.m.: Pagliuca talks about the perspective owners and managers need. The best ones see things over an 82-game season “like a movie.”

Polian talks about a parallel universe we live in. Fans and media expect perfection over the course of an 82, 16 or even 162-game season. Professionals know that perfection is “almost never achievable,” and coaches teach against mistakes that are part of the business.

10:50 a.m.: Burke and Van Gundy have spoken about the most difficult aspect of their jobs as coaches and general managers.

They agree that the hardest part is cutting players — guys that “bleed for you” as Burke says. The human element, specifically the bonds that form in the locker room are tough to break.

10:45 a.m.: Burke likes hard coaches. They’re his favorite ones. But the former Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager says “the harder the coach is, the shorter his shelf life.”

10:40 a.m.: Pagliuca tells us that one of the best decisions the Celtics have made (since he’s been one of the team’s owners) was not firing Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers in the 2006-07 season.

10:20 a.m.: Van Gundy is discussing the Dwight Howard saga in Orlando. He says Howard asked for him to be fired and was causing a problem in the Magic locker room.

He wished Magic management would come out with a statement — either back him with a new contract or fire him — and end the distraction. They didn’t.

Polian says Jim Finks, Red Aurebach and Branch Rickey are the three greatest executives in history. He adds that coaches are useful for a maximum of 10 years. The ones that are able to “recognize and prepare them [players] are the ones that last longest.”

10 a.m.: “It’s Not You, It’s Me: Break-Ups in Sports” is our first panel of the day. Moderator Jackie MacMullan will lead a discussion about high-profile trades, public disputes over hirings and firings and other media spectacles.

9 a.m. ET: In the span of seven years, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference has become the place to be.

Sports insiders, executives and leading researchers from around the country and beyond descend on Boston for two days to discuss role of analytics in the sports industry with each other and thousands of students.

The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is the site of this year’s conference. Nate Silver, Brian Burke, Adam Silver, Mark Cuban, Jonathan Kraft and Michael Wilbon are just a few of the panelists that will be on hand to give and receive insight into how sports are being changed by “big data.”

We are on hand for the 2013 conference, looking to see where the next breakthrough in sports analytics will come from. Join us here on March 1 for the latest on sports data analysis.

“Arsene Wenger was for eight years the greatest manager that Arsenal’s had,” Morgan said. “He brought an unbelievable array of trophies, he played magnificent football. But for the last eight years he’s won nothing, and the club is going backwards.

“I’m afraid that the Arsenal fans, who persist in looking at Wenger through these old rose-tinted spectacles as if somehow he’s the manager of eight years ago, are living in cloud cuckoo land.”

Arsenal currently sits fifth in the Premier League, trailing leader Manchester United by 21 points with 12 games remaining. Winning the league is a near impossibility, and the Gunners have been knocked out of both the FA Cup and League Cup. Barring a miracle comeback against Bayern Munich, Arsenal will exit the UEFA Champions League in the Round of 16, which will make for an eighth consecutive trophy-less season.

Like most Arsenal fans, Morgan’s most pressing concern is where the Gunners will finish in the Premier League. They currently trail fourth-place Tottenham by four points and third-place Chelsea by five. Yet, Morgan believes Arsenal will finish outside of the top four and miss out on next season’s Champions League — something he thinks would have grave implications for the club’s future.

“My opinion is Arsene Wenger should resign, and he should do it now so that we have a chance at reinvigorating the team and we could come fourth and qualify for the Champions League,” he continued. “Because if we don’t, then we are not going to be able to sign any top-class players over the summer, it is as simple as that.

“This is the reality moment for Arsenal fans. Do they have confidence that Arsene Wenger is going to get us that last Champions League place with this team playing the way they are, or do they share my view that he’s run his course?”

Wenger has managed Arsenal since 1996, making him the longest-serving manager in the club’s 127-year history. He’s thought of as an omnipotent figure at the club who will only leave when he decides that it’s time to do so. He reportedly has the full backing of the club’s board of directors, so Morgan concluded his with a plea for Arsenal fans to rise up and demand a change.

“So we’re in a situation which has to have dramatic change. We have a number of options in terms of potential managers or ownership, but it will have to be driven by Arsenal fans, and I appeal to them: Stop looking at Wenger through these romantic nostalgic glasses.”

The host of CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight is a frustrated fan who has reached a tipping point. It’s clear that there are deep divisions within the club’s fan base over Wenger, but it remains to be seen how many will heed Morgan’s rallying cry and join the anti-Wenger brigade.

Shanghai is disputing Drogba’s Galatasaray transfer, claiming it still holds the former Chelsea’s striker’s sporting rights. The Chinese club is preparing a case, which it intends to submit to FIFA, according to the BBC.

“The club is deeply shocked,” Shanghai Shenhua said. “Drogba is still a player of Shanghai Shenhua Football Club. The contract between the two parties is still within the period of validity.

“We understand that Drogba is eager to participate in the European Champions League.

“Shanghai Shenhua Football Club and Drogba, on 1 July, 2012, officially signed a formal contract for a period of two-and-a-half years. The club has acted in accordance with this contract and has effectively fulfilled the responsibilities and obligations of the club. Shanghai Shenhua is prepared to collate all the evidence and information and submit it to FIFA in order to protect its interests.”

On Monday, Galatasaray announced that it had reached an agreement to sign the 34-year-old. He expects to join his new club after the Africa Cup of Nations, but Shanghai’s reaction has cast doubt on the transfer. Drogba intends to help Galatasaray compete for domestic and European honors this season.

“The opportunity to play for this great club was an offer that I could not turn down,” Drogba said through his management company’s Twitter account. “I am looking forward to playing in the [UEFA] Champions League again, against the best clubs in Europe.”

The Turkish transfer window for shuts on Jan. 31. Drogba’s fate could rest with FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). There is a possibility that Drogba will not complete his Galatasaray transfer in time to participate in his new team’s Champions League Round-of-16 matchup against FC Schalke. The first leg is on Feb. 20, and transfer disputes can take a long time to come to a resolution.

The Newport County AFC player was all set to join Lincoln City on a month-long loan when Newport went ahead and announced it on Twitter. The only problem is that the deal was not officially complete. Lincoln made it known … publicly.

The Conference (England’s fourth division) club replied to Newport’s premature announcement with a request for some important documents.

“‘Can you therefore get the paperwork signed and sent to us so the move can be completed???'” Lincoln asked in astonishment.

Lincoln later questioned Newport’s professionalism.

Thankfully for Thomson, the teams completed the deal later in the day. He could make his Lincoln debut on Saturday.

Most soccer transfers are done behind closed doors because things can go haywire when the details go public . If we never knew why before, now we do.

Filed under: Headlines, Marcus Kwesi O'Mard, Offbeat, Rumors, Soccer, Twitter]]>http://nesn.com/2013/01/jake-thomsons-twitter-transfer-amuses-tech-savvy-neutrals-horrifies-everyone-else-photo/feed/00Newport County AFCnesnmomardJake Thomson Twitter transferMarouane Fellaini Moves From Liverpool to Manchester Because Women Are All Over Himhttp://nesn.com/2013/01/marouane-fellaini-moves-from-liverpool-to-manchester-because-women-are-all-over-him/
http://nesn.com/2013/01/marouane-fellaini-moves-from-liverpool-to-manchester-because-women-are-all-over-him/#commentsWed, 02 Jan 2013 00:27:56 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=119596]]>Marouane Fellaini is one of the Premier League’s most in-demand players — on the field and off it.

The Everton star revealed that he recently moved from Liverpool to Manchester (houses not teams) because women in Liverpool were all over him, the Mail reports.

“I am living in Manchester now, because in Liverpool, the women were crawling for me,” Fellaini said. “It was too much. In Manchester, people don’t recognize me that much and tend to treat me in a more respectful way.

“I don’t want to be a star. I just want to play football.”

The domestic disruption comes as Fellaini enjoys one the finest seasons of his professional career. The Belgian midfielder has been a central figure in Everton’s promising first half of the Premier League campaign. His eight goals and four assists have put the club in contention for a top-four finish and made him a dark-horse candidate to win one of England’s player of the season awards.

The 25-year-old’s successful season has certainly brought him increased attention, but it’s not like he wouldn’t get it anyway. He is six-foot four-inches tall and sports a distinctive Afro atop his lanky frame. Let’s just say, he stands out in a crowd.

Fellaini’s decision to move homes comes amid ever-increasing speculation about his professional future. Earlier this season, he indicated that he wants to play in the UEFA Champions League and that he might seek a transfer to a new club. However, his transfer stance may have softened recently.

“I have a contract with Everton until 2016, and, if the club want, I will see that out,” he said. “I know I am hot, and I want to move forward one day, but I will finish my Everton contract if they want me to.”

Everton could sell him in January, but it’s much more likely that any transfer will happen after the 2012-13 season.

For now, Fellaini will keep his head down (out of the way of overly attentive women and Stoke City defenders) and focus on the immediate task of helping Everton reach its goals. A more serene life off the field should help him hit his own targets as well.

Maybe we should spare a thought for him in this new year. It isn’t so easy being young, rich, famous and good-looking. At least, it isn’t in Liverpool.

Gruden will interview with NFL teams regarding head coaching positions, according to CBSSports.com’s Mike Freeman. The news comes despite Gruden’s public insistence that he’s happy in his current role as an ESPN television analyst.

There figures to be a number of teams who might be interested in Gruden’s services, as Freeman reports that teams have quietly contacted Gruden and/or his representatives over the past few weeks to gauge his interest. Teams were reportedly told that Gruden would speak with them after the regular season ended.

Now, with the regular season in the books, the next few days will surely be busy around the NFL. A number of coaches have reportedly been given the axe already, and the number will likely continue to grow as teams look toward next season. One would have to guess that Gruden is at the top of a few teams’ wish lists, as it’s not every day you can obtain a proven, Super Bowl-winning head coach.

Freeman reports that the Chargers and Eagles are two teams to keep an eye on when it comes to Gruden. The Chargers reportedly will fire Norv Turner, while Andy Reid is believed to be on his way out in Philadelphia.

Gruden last coached Tampa Bay in 2008, guiding the Buccaneers to a 9-7 finish, and he also enjoyed success with the Raiders from 1998 to 2001. His career coaching record sits at 95-81, and he has a Super Bowl victory to his credit, leading the Bucs to championship glory in 2002.

Gruden could continue to stress that he’s happy in his current role, but perhaps he’ll be happier with a return to the sideline.

Tweet of the Day

Video of the Day

When your team wins the division after four straight last-place finishes, tackling the Christmas tree is beyond acceptable — it’s encouraged.

Filed under: Daily Blend, NFL, Offbeat, Ricky Doyle, Rumors, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2012/12/jon-gruden-reportedly-will-interview-for-nfl-head-coaching-positions-despite-insistence-hes-happy-with-tv-gig/feed/00Jon GrudennesnrdoyleTony RomoIker Casillas Benched for First Time in 10 Years, Responds by Wearing World’s Ugliest Socks (Photo)http://nesn.com/2012/12/iker-casillas-benched-for-first-time-in-10-years-responds-by-wearing-worlds-ugliest-socks-photo/
http://nesn.com/2012/12/iker-casillas-benched-for-first-time-in-10-years-responds-by-wearing-worlds-ugliest-socks-photo/#commentsMon, 24 Dec 2012 09:29:10 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=117338]]>Maybe Iker Casillas was sending a secret message. That’s the only explanation we can offer for his choice of fashion.

The Real Madrid icon was benched for the first time in over a decade on Saturday. He wore a pair of thigh-high, red-and-black-striped socks as he watched his team slump to a 3-2 defeat against Malaga. No offense to fans of Brazilians club Flamengo, but Casillas’ socks were downright hideous.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho started goalkeeper Antonio Adan instead of Casillas. There was reportedly little the 25-year-old backup could do to stop Malaga’s first and third goals, but he was said to be at fault for the second.

Rumors are rife that there is a rift between the Portuguese manager and several influential figures at the Spanish club, including its captain and star goalkeeper Casillas. Many thought benching Casillas was the result of a personality clash, but Mourinho denies those charges, according to Football Espana.

“[Leaving Casillas out] was purely a technical decision,” Mourinho said. “I analyzed the situation and chose the team. You can try and invent whatever you want, but it was a purely technical decision.”

Mourinho’s decision sent shockwaves around the dressing room, Real Madrid’s fanbase and the wider soccer world. Casillas discussed the situation on Sunday, choosing to simultaneously take the high road and refer to himself in the third person (if that’s at all possible).

“The coach decides which team he thinks is best for each match and you need to accept the decision,” FIFA.com reports Casillas told La Sexta Television. “I’m not used to being a substitute, but above Iker Casillas or any player is the team. What I need to do is continue training and try to recover the confidence of the coach.

“I feel good, but it is the coach who decides who plays. It will be a nice battle with Antonio. There is a healthy rivalry between us.”

It came as no surprise to the World and European champion when he was omitted from the starting lineup.

“Throughout the week I could sense that I wasn’t going to play but it’s not a setback,” he added. “The important thing was that the team won in Malaga to cut the gap to Barça and Atletico. Mourinho didn’t explain anything to me. He doesn’t do it when I play, nor when I don’t.”

Real Madrid’s season has been torpedoed by crisis and conflict. The defending La Liga champion heads into the winter break trailing FC Barcelona by 16 points, and winning the UEFA Champions League is the only thing that can salvage what is almost certainly Mourinho’s final season at the club.

It’s hard to think that benching Casillas will restore peace and harmony to the dressing room. But how can Casillas’ suspect fashion sense help him regain the manager’s confidence? It seems like a vicious cycle that can only end one way: with Mourinho jumping ship and Casillas getting a wardrobe makeover.

“He has not given a penny, not even a phone call to see if she needs anything,” said the model, who appeared on the magazine’s cover with daughter Pia.

“Mario is irresponsible. At some point he lost interest in me and our daughter. We were getting married, that was our project, our will — but it all fell apart, and I do not know why,” Fico said in the interview, which also revealed how she communicated with Mario on Dec. 6 — the day the baby was born.

“I sent messages to Mario from 3 p.m., when I had the first contractions, until 6:30 p.m., when I walked into the delivery room. When I came out of there, immediately after the birth of Pia, I sent him more messages,” said Fico.

“My phone rang at 12:30 a.m.,” she said of her conversation with Balotelli. “‘I’m not interested’ he said. That was the last time I heard from him.”

The couple had separated in early July, when Fico, 24, publicly announced that she was pregnant with Balotelli, who asked — through the media — for a paternity test.

“Even if he doesn’t ask for it anymore, I will do a paternity test to show the world that Pia is the daughter of Mario Balotelli,” Fico said. “I will go on without him and his money. The door remains open for my daughter, but my heart’s door is closed forever.”

Filed under: Headlines, Manchester City FC, Offbeat, Premier League, Rumors, Soccer, Terra Sports]]>http://nesn.com/2012/12/rafaella-fico-says-mario-balotelli-is-unconcerned-about-newborn-daughter-pia-balotelli/feed/00Rafaella Fico and Pia BalotellinesnmomardRafaella Fico and Pia BalotelliDavid Beckham’s ‘Exciting Opportunities’ Could Include Manchester United Return, MLS Club Purchase (Photos)http://nesn.com/2012/11/david-beckhams-exciting-opportunities-include-manchester-united-return-reviving-new-york-cosmos-photos/
http://nesn.com/2012/11/david-beckhams-exciting-opportunities-include-manchester-united-return-reviving-new-york-cosmos-photos/#commentsMon, 26 Nov 2012 19:06:31 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=107208]]>David Beckham will play his last game for the L.A. Galaxy on Dec. 1. That much we know. What he does next is anyone’s guess.

Last week, the former England captain announced that he will end his six-year Galaxy career after MLS Cup 2012. The carefully worded statement made left no doubt that he’s leaving town, but it revealed little about his next move.

Beckham also spoke to the media about his decision, but the 37-year-old was just as coy. He said he’s not ready to retire. He’s seeking one more challenge — at a high level — and he’s “lucky” to have a number of “exciting opportunities” to consider.

The rumor mills instantly spun into overdrive, linking him to moves to clubs on five continents and twice as many countries. Included among them is his old Premier League club, Manchester United, as well as Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United in his native London(town). Brazil’s two biggest clubs are also thought to be in the running. Five Australian teams are hoping to lure him down under.

The global soccer icon says he’s committed to growing the sport in the U.S., and he’ll do so as an owner of an MLS franchise. But that can wait. For now, the world is his oyster and he’ll be ready to make his next move his best move.

Filed under: Manchester United FC, Marcus Kwesi O'Mard, Offbeat, Photo Gallery, Premier League, Rumors, Soccer, Top 10]]>http://nesn.com/2012/11/david-beckhams-exciting-opportunities-include-manchester-united-return-reviving-new-york-cosmos-photos/feed/00David BeckhamnesnmomardDavid BeckhamArsenal Sings the Blues While Adjusting to Life After Robin van Persie (Podcast)http://nesn.com/2012/11/arsenal-sings-the-blues-while-adjusting-to-life-after-robin-van-persie-podcast/
http://nesn.com/2012/11/arsenal-sings-the-blues-while-adjusting-to-life-after-robin-van-persie-podcast/#commentsFri, 16 Nov 2012 13:44:41 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=104281]]>Arsenal FC is off to its worst start in 20 years, and its fans are bracing themselves for another season of discontent. They watch in agony, as former captain Robin van Persie sparkles with Manchester United and ask themselves “what if?”

But it’s not all doom and gloom in North London. The Gunners are flush with cash, a core of young players have established themselves in the first team, and the future certainly looks bright.

The two halves of Arsenal’s existence work together in imperfect harmony, endlessly building up and tearing down the dreams of its fans around the world. It’s a good thing that such a beautifully vicious cycle has its own soundtrack.

Two Arsenal songs have taken the internet by storm this season. Viral sensation “Sign da Ting” captures the fans’ mood, as Theo Walcott mulls over Arsenal’s contract offer. Will he extend his stay or jump as van Persie, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and others have done in the past? The other song, “Jack’s Back,” celebrates Jack Wilshere‘s return to fitness. Sidelined by injury for nearly 18 months, Wilshere finally returned to action last month. Will he continue on his path to stardom or did the layoff stunt his development?

NESN.com’s soccer editor Marcus Kwesi O’Mard is joined by Roxy Harris — the man behind the music — to discuss “Sign da Ting,” “Jack’s Back” and all things Arsenal FC. The music man (and devoted Arsenal fan) shares his views on the most important issues affecting the club, as we try to figure out what to make Arsenal in 2012-13 and beyond. If you haven’t already, be sure to click the links (in the song titles above) and hear the songs before listening to the podcast — you’ll appreciate it that much more.